{"id":168248,"date":"2025-02-21T17:34:06","date_gmt":"2025-02-21T08:34:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/?p=168248&lang=en"},"modified":"2025-02-23T15:12:05","modified_gmt":"2025-02-23T06:12:05","slug":"goto-islands-cycling-fukue","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/en\/goto-islands-cycling-fukue\/","title":{"rendered":"Fukue Island \u2013 Exploring History on Goto\u2019s Largest Island"},"content":{"rendered":"

1. Ojika Island (Ojika Town) \u2013 One of Kyushu\u2019s Best Cycling Areas?<\/a>
\n2. Nakadori Island (Shinkamigoto Town) \u2013 A Scenic Cycling Escape<\/a>
\n3. Fukue Island (Goto City) \u2013 Exploring History on Goto\u2019s Largest Island<\/p>\n

From Shinkamigoto Island, we traveled by ferry to Fukue Port, the main gateway to Fukue Island. The journey from Hakata takes about 8.5 hours, but Fukue Port has everything you need to start your adventure\u2014tourist information, souvenir shops, a convenience store, and coin lockers for storing your luggage. Alternatively, multiple daily flights connect Fukuoka Airport (FUK) to Fukue Airport (FUJ), with a quick flight time of approximately 40 minutes.<\/p>\n

\"\u798f\u6c5f\u5cf6(Visible in the distance behind the ferry terminal is Onidake, the iconic symbol of Fukue Island.)<\/p>\n

Of course, our focus here is cycling! Just a 10-minute walk from the port, we found Bike is life. GOTO<\/em>, a specialty bike rental shop.<\/p>\n

\"\u798f\u6c5f\u5cf6<\/p>\n

For this leg, we joined the \u201cHistorical Cycling Tour of Goto<\/strong>,\u201d which highlights the island\u2019s rich heritage. After selecting a bike to match our size and style, we hit the road to explore Fukue\u2019s fascinating historical landmarks.<\/p>\n

Tour Course: “Goto Islands Fukue Island Half-Day Cycling Tour \u2013 History & Culture Route<\/a>” (Approx. 4.5 hours)<\/p>\n

\"\u798f\u6c5f\u5cf6<\/p>\n

A Ride Through History<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Fukue Island\u2019s past is intertwined with Japan\u2019s maritime history. Our first stop was Minjindo<\/em>, a structure built by Chinese merchants during the Tang Dynasty era as a place to pray for safe voyages. Fukue was once the last port of call for emissary ships bound for China.<\/p>\n

\"\u798f\u6c5f\u5cf6<\/p>\n

Next, we visited the ruins of Ishida Castle<\/em>\u2014Japan\u2019s newest castle, completed in 1863 to prepare for the arrival of foreign ships. Known as Japan\u2019s only coastal fortress with three walls facing the sea, it offers a glimpse into Fukue\u2019s strategic importance. Nearby, the Goto Garden<\/em> preserves the castle lord\u2019s scenic retreat, surrounded by lush greenery.<\/p>\n

\"\u798f\u6c5f\u5cf6<\/p>\n

We also wandered down Bukeyashiki Street<\/em>, a historic samurai district lined with stone walls and narrow alleys.<\/p>\n

\"\u798f\u6c5f\u5cf6<\/p>\n

Unique to this area, small stones called kobore-ishi<\/em> were placed atop the walls to deter intruders. It\u2019s a step back in time that captures Fukue\u2019s feudal charm.<\/p>\n

\"\u798f\u6c5f\u5cf6<\/p>\n

Our journey continued to Myojoin<\/em>, the oldest temple in the Goto Islands. Rebuilt in 1778, its main hall features 121 floral and bird-themed paintings by the Kano school, a must-see for art and history lovers.<\/p>\n

\"\u798f\u6c5f\u5cf6<\/p>\n

Cycling by the Coast<\/strong><\/h3>\n

No visit to Fukue is complete without riding along its stunning coastline.<\/p>\n

\"\u4e94\u5cf6\u30a2\u30a4\u30e9\u30f3\u30c9\u30db\u30c3\u30d4\u30f3\u30b0\u3068\u30b5\u30a4\u30af\u30ea\u30f3\u30b0<\/p>\n

Along the way, we enjoyed kankoro<\/em> mochi<\/em>, a traditional sweet made from sun-dried sweet potatoes mixed with sticky rice. Don\u2019t miss the kankoro-infused soft serve\u2014a delicious treat to cool you down during your ride.<\/p>\n

\"\u798f\u6c5f\u5cf6<\/p>\n

The tour ends back at the cycle shop, but if you’re still eager to ride, a trip to Onidake (Mt. Oni, 315m), the symbol of Fukue Island, is highly recommended. This iconic volcano offers stunning panoramic views, and with an e-bike, the gentle slopes are manageable even for beginners. The round trip from the shop takes about two hours.<\/span><\/p>\n

Bike is life. GOTO<\/strong>
\n\u2022 Address: 1F hotel sou, 2-15 Sakae-machi, Goto City, Nagasaki<\/a>
\n\u2022 Hours: 8:30\u201318:00
\n\u2022 Closed: Tuesdays and Wednesdays
\n\u2022 Phone: 090-4385-7500<\/a>
\n\u2022 Instagram<\/a>
\n\u2022 8 cross bikes, 4 e-bikes available. Changing space and luggage storage service provided.<\/p>\n

In addition to this tour, there\u2019s also a 3.5-hour guided cycling tour of Fukue Island, “Exploring Island Life Nurtured by Goto’s Nature<\/a>.”<\/p>\n

Local Flavors<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Fukue is known for its fresh seafood, premium Goto beef, and flavorful Goto pork.<\/p>\n

\"\u798f\u6c5f\u5cf6<\/p>\n

For dinner, we stopped at Mochizuki, a beloved Western-style restaurant serving everything from hearty steaks to beef bowls and pork cutlet meals made with local ingredients.<\/p>\n

\"\u798f\u6c5f\u5cf6<\/p>\n

Mochizuki<\/strong>
\n\u2022 Address: 5-12 Fukue-machi, Goto City, Nagasaki<\/a>
\n\u2022 Hours: 11:00\u201314:30, 17:00\u201321:00
\n\u2022 Closed: Tuesdays
\n\u2022 Phone: 0959-72-3370<\/a>
\n\u2022 Website<\/a><\/p>\n

For a more eclectic vibe, we visited WiNE Bar MazE Coze<\/em>. Tucked away in a building that looks like a private home, this wine bar offers natural wines and creative small plates. It\u2019s a relaxed spot where locals, newcomers, and tourists mingle.<\/p>\n

\"\u798f\u6c5f\u5cf6<\/p>\n

WiNE Bar MazE Coze<\/strong>
\n\u2022 Address: 3-1-5 Bukeyashiki, Goto City, Nagasaki<\/a>
\n\u2022 Hours: 18:00\u201323:30
\n\u2022 Closed: Tuesdays
\n\u2022 Phone: 0959-88-9002<\/a>
\n\u2022 Instagram<\/a><\/p>\n

Where to Stay<\/strong><\/h3>\n

For accommodations, we stayed at Colorit Goto Island<\/em>, a resort hotel where every room boasts ocean views. Perfect for solo travelers, couples, or families, the hotel even partners with local daycare centers for temporary childcare\u2014great for longer stays. Breakfast features fresh local ingredients served in a scenic seaside dining area.<\/p>\n

Colorit Goto Island<\/strong>
\n\u2022 Address: 546-2 Hama-cho, Goto City, Nagasaki<\/a>
\n\u2022 Phone: 0959-78-5110<\/a>
\n\u2022 Website<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\u798f\u6c5f\u5cf6<\/p>\n

Heading Home<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The final day of our island-hopping adventure concluded with a quick 45-minute flight from Goto Tsubaki Airport to Fukuoka. After soaking in the beauty, culture, and flavors of the Goto Islands, we were back in Fukuoka by 7 p.m.\u2014just in time to start dreaming about our next trip.<\/p>\n

While we explored three islands over four days (including the overnight ferry), extending your stay to a week would allow for a more leisurely experience of everything the Goto Islands have to offer. Until next time, Goto!<\/p>\n

\"\u798f\u6c5f\u5cf6<\/p>\n

Kyushu Live – Easy Goto Island Cycling!<\/strong>
\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/shorts\/1WKSpqRWLAs?feature=share<\/a>
\n\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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